Party Begins

The lounge was in the 31st level of the building while there was a 32nd level consisting of a helipad and an Observation Deck. The helipad was visible to them, and they watched as a silver metal bird descended, sending air moving like a small cyclone. Aditya watched the pilot in dark glasses and helmet hunched over the controls. Given his telescopic vision, he could see Anupama and her parents as well. Some people cheered as they saw the helicopter descend.

It was a silver Eurocopter EC135, which was a twin-engine, civil light utility helicopter produced by Airbus Helicopters. This whirlybird was worth around five million USD. It was capable of flight under instrument flight rules and was outfitted with a digital automatic flight control system. Aditya's heart itched as he wanted to try flying this metal beast.

The whirring sounds of the blades brought back memories of Highway fight to Aditya where he crashed a chopper. The copter which he bombed was a single-engine, light utility vehicle made indigenously. If not for the lack of time, Aditya would not have gotten off so easily. He wouldn't be surprised if those Organisation goons acquire a Boeing AH-64 Apache if they had the leisure.

The periphery of the helipad was covered with security and administrative personnel, who were present to welcome the Chief Minister and others. They did not enter the chopper's proximity and waited until the pilot nodded.

After the pilot nodded and the blades had almost stopped, a tall male exited the vehicle followed by a mature, beautiful woman. The male was none other than V.V. Acharya, and the woman was the most beautiful Female Chief Minister in India, Vandana Sharma.

Vandana Sharma was in her early forties but looked a decade younger. She had a calm, mature demeanour and the way she conducted herself was flawless. A few strands of grey hair could be seen on her shoulder-length hair. When combined with slight wrinkles on the edge of her eyes gave a sense of dignity and nobility in the eyes of onlookers. Vandana Sharma wore a beautiful silk saree with golden embroidery on the border and looked elegant. She conducted herself with great poise and confidence.

V.V. Acharya did not lose in terms of appearance or demeanour to his ex-wife. He had a fit, muscular physique, a mature face and greying hair. V.V. Acharya wore a dark Giorgio Armani suit. He would definitely be a heartthrob to those young women, who found older men attractive. No wonder, Anupama turned out to be so stunning and gorgeous. It was all in her genes.

Anupama was dressed in a royal Indian ethnic dress. She wore a creamy, semi-sheer lehenga (a full ankle-length skirt which is long, embroidered and pleated) featuring white embroidery and gold floral details.

Worn with a snug embroidered blouse, Anupama's pastel lehenga took the breath out of people. Her slender waist with those developing curves was visible under the translucent creamy and embroidered dupatta (long scarf). Anupama further elevated her look with a stunning platinum necklace studded with emeralds, along with chunky earrings and matching bangles. She matched this dress with a pair of exquisite crystal-embellished heels and platinum anklets.

To complete her look, Anupama picked a pretty gold potli (embroidered silk purse). She went with beachy waves and a subtle smoky eye which made Anupama look like a female immortal, who was banished from heaven.

Fireworks burst through the night, fiery blooms amongst the scarce stars. The brilliant lights lit up Anupama's face, which was glowing in the dawn of youth. Like a blue lotus, her face was blooming with a gracious smile on her lips. Her tender, long arms looked like two stalks of lotus running down and dividing into delicate fingers. Anupama's earrings dangled magically, the curls of her hair striking on her lustrous face.

Aditya was lost in a daze, not because of her beauty as he had seen Anupama when she had wholly bloomed into a full-fledged goddess. Anupama, of the present, was still a flower in the process of blossoming.

Aditya was mesmerised by the smile of a pure, young girl who was still not ravaged by the cruel fate of her future. He saw a rose growing in a fully protected garden, filled with optimistic hope and was completely oblivious of the impending storm.

Aditya did not remember seeing such a smile in all his years (almost a decade) of spending time and travelling with Anupama, in the dream world. He would only notice her pain decreasing when they visited new places, but never true happiness. Anupama would have this look of relief and peace when she spent time in nature, among the vast oceans and sky-touching mountains.

Aditya's pupils quivered as he saw her radiant smile as Anupama held the hand of her father and climbed down the chopper. This very smile was the thing that was taken away from her.

Aditya clenched his left fist as he resolved to make sure that Anupama's future was not gloomy anymore. He owed a lot to her. Anupama had accompanied him through the dark years of him recovering from Maahi's death.

Anupama had exercised great forbearance and patience as she soothed his dying heart. She had gone out of her way to aid him. In the beginning, she might have done this on the obligation that Aditya had done the same for her. But, later, the relationship precipitated into a bond which stood the test of time.

With all his powers, Aditya might not be able to undo the damage done to Maahi by her father. But since he has the chance, Aditya would not let the same happen to Anupama.

Anupama left the helipad as she followed her parents to the lower level. The couple kept a respectful distance between each other and interacted like simple acquaintances.

Aditya heard cheers rang out as Anupama entered the place of celebration. She politely smiled at everyone as her eyes roved around. Anupama was searching for her friends. It was their presence that would make this day perfect for her.

Anupama's eyes lit up with joy as she spotted Aditya and others. She waved at them as Kumari and Kavya excitedly waved back. Aditya also smiled and nodded his head when he saw Anupama looking at him. He mouthed 'Happy Birthday' soundlessly with his lips to which Anupama smiled back as she mouthed 'Thank You' back.

Aditya smiled but did not communicate further as he knew that Anupama did not have the time to focus on them. Maybe, after the party was over, they could group and enjoy the night breeze and gossip about inconsequential things. But Aditya had plans, so he would have to skip this gathering mostly.

It was a little pity because Aditya liked when his close friends came together and had aimless discussions. Because having a casual conversation signified that not one of his friends had any serious concerns and were content.

After the three people climbed the stage, which was prepared earlier, V.V. Acharya took a microphone. He waited until the cheers calmed down. After a few seconds, V.V. Acharya smiled and spoke in a mature, deep voice, " Hi, everyone! First of all, I want to take a moment to thank God for blessing us all with the priceless gift of this beautiful day. A day that happens to be the day that God gifted me one of the most precious treasures of my life – my wonderful daughter."

V.V. Acharya looked at his daughter with a remorseful face as he continued, "I have a confession to make to all the wonderful guests here. I have truly neglected this gift that God had presented me. I had let my little angel suffer because I was stuck with my business in distant countries."

"They say that one realises the importance of someone only after they lose them forever. But it is not the case for me. Even though I was far away, my baby girl always stayed in my heart and accompanied me. The thing that changed was that I realised that all the money that I earn is not more valuable to me than my Anu."

Anupama's lips trembled when she saw that her father was apologising in front of so many eminent personalities. Her lotus eyes became watery as she looked at her father's guilty expression. Wasn't this what she had prayed to God? Those lonely nights when she sat at the window of her mansion, waiting for her parents to come home.

Anupama was young at that time and did not know why her parents would not visit her anymore. She was used to sleeping with her parents. They would accompany her to exciting places and let her play to her heart's content. But, since a few days, she would not see her dad when she was with her mom and vice versa. After a year, the frequency of their visits became lower. Her parents limited their visits to weekends. Mother would come on Saturdays, and the father would visit on Sundays.

Anupama lived in her maternal grandfather's place, under the care of professional nannies. She had everything that she could ask, except her parents' love and affection. After a few years, she realised that what divorce meant and that her custody was given to her mother.

Anupama had thought of all sorts of reasons for this 'divorce'. She would lay in her bed, unable to sleep, mulling over whether it was her fault that her parents separated.

Anupama had met other children with single parents in her school. She noticed that even though they only had a single parent, they were very happy as their mother or father would look after them every well. They would attend to all programs and care for their kid.

But this was not the case for Anupama; her mother or father did not bother to accompany her to school or other places. So, Anupama would feel that it was her mistake, somehow. This thought kept her awake as she lay in her cold bed, struggling with loneliness and doubt.

So, one could imagine the impact that her father's words had on Anupama. She felt as if her heart was drenched in a warm, healing spring when she saw her father looking at her.

V.V. Acharya said in a soft voice, "Now that I got the chance to return, I promise that I will make up for your loss. Will you allow this old man to redeem himself?"

Anupama vigorously nodded her head as she went forward and hugged her father as tears rolled down her cheek. She had a content smile on her face. Vandana Sharma glanced at this scene with a smile, but her eyes told another story.

Aditya rolled his eyes when he saw this scene unfold. He said, "This family drama is too painful to see, isn't it Kumkum?"

When Aditya did not get any response, he turned to discover that Kumari and Kavya were shedding tears as they glued their eyes to the father-daughter pair. Only now, did he realise that it was only him who did not get dragged into the flow. Even Jatin had a complicated look on his face. Aditya knew that Jatin also had daddy issues.

"Damn, this fellow should go act in those soap operas instead of being a businessman. Where are those Raipath idiots so that I can have a distraction," Aditya muttered as he grabbed a cigarette from Jatin and lit it.